Carol Bjorkman, later known as Carol Yorke, was born in Swissdale, a suburb of Pittsburgh, and began her journey in the entertainment industry at the tender age of 18. She landed a bit part in the film "Letter from an Unknown Woman," which unfortunately flopped. Undeterred, she traveled to New York, where she secured a job in publicity for the fashion house Arkay. Her talent and connections soon led her to a position as a buyer for Saks Fifth Avenue's new salon, the Evening Room, specializing in evening wear.
As the fashion world was abuzz with excitement, Carol made the bold move to Paris, where she secured a position as the personal buyer for rich women seeking the latest fashions from the renowned Yves Saint Laurent. Her reputation as a fashion insider and her witty, chatty style caught the attention of John Fairchild, editor of the influential fashion magazine Women's Wear Daily. In October 1962, Carol penned a letter to Fairchild, which impressed him with her charm and connections. He offered her a job as a columnist, and "Carol Says" was born, appearing three times a week and syndicated in 14 newspapers across the United States.
As a columnist, Carol traveled the world, interviewing celebrities such as the Duke of Windsor, Robert F. Kennedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson, as well as attending fashion shows. Her vast network of connections and her effortless charm earned her a reputation as a true insider in the fashion world. In New York, she had a special friend in millionaire garment manufacturer Seymour Fox, who often chauffeured her to work in one of his collection of stretched limousines, accompanied by her beloved poodle, Sheba.
On November 28, 1966, Truman Capote hosted his legendary, masked, Black & White Ball at the New York Plaza Hotel, drawing 500 esteemed guests, including Carol Bjorkman and actress Joan Fontaine. Six months later, Carol checked into Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases, where she installed a bar in her private room and continued to entertain until her untimely passing on July 5, 1967. The New York Times carried an obituary, praising Carol's wit and chic, both in print and in person.
